We talked about what to do to stabilize the situation after a house fire in Part 1. Now, let’s consider what needs to be done to get to the finish line and put the whole experience behind you.
Continue Working With Your Insurance Company
Keep gathering and providing all necessary documentation to facilitate the claim process. If you have a good reason for not having certain documentation, ask your adjuster to cover those things anyway! In some cases, you may need to push for whatever is reasonable. Keep up communication to stay informed on progress.
Hire a Reputable Contractor
Settling your insurance claim can take a long time because of the way disbursements and inspections work. If you have a mortgage, your lender may want to perform inspections at different stages of the process before releasing more funds to your contractor. For that reason, and to avoid delays, it is important to work with a reputable contractor.
Create a plan with them that outlines the scope of work, timeline, and budget. Keep open lines of communication to address any concerns and track progress. Be available to approve product selections, materials, and repair specifications.
Start with Structure
Nothing can happen if the structure of your house is not sound. Hire professionals to evaluate the structure and perform any necessary repairs, such as rebuilding the attic, replacing floor joists, and securing framework.
Tackle Electrical
Even if the fire didn’t damage the entire house, you will often need a new electrical box, wiring, and testing.
Address Fire-Specific Issues
These issues can include smoke stains, soot residue, odors, contaminated air ducts, and others. A reputable fire restoration contractor, like Good Life Fire Restoration, can help with this.
Clean Up Room by Room
Remove, repair, or clean everything from the walls, ceilings, floors, light fixtures, windows, appliances, furniture, and belongings.
Your fire restoration contractor may also be able to help with this, including salvaging furniture and sentimental items.
Conclusion
Hang in there! Rebuilding your life and house after a fire is a gradual process that requires patience, resilience, and support. But if you stick with it and work with the right people, you can be sure that at the end of it all, your house will be a safe place to continue making memories.
Of course, some people choose not to go through the restoration and rebuilding process at all. If that is you and you want to sell your fire-damaged house, reach out to us to see what we can do for you!